Carry On Bag Essentials | Exactly What I Fly With On An International Flight
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This post is about carry on bag essentials.
Growing up, I was very lucky and was able to travel on a plane quite a few times. Due to this, I got pretty good at learning what essentials I like to keep in my carry on.
This coming summer, I will be living with my partner, Ian, in Korea. From Minnesota, this is over 19 hours of flight time, and 25 hours for the trip in total. While planning this trip, I realized just how crucial my carry on items need to be! Instead of packing snacks for a 3-hour flight to Florida, I will be packing an entire day worth of essentials, as well as everything I need to get through the 3 flights and 19 hours of flying.
Here’s exactly what I keep in my International carry on bag. This post shows you all of my carry on essentials, perfect for keeping in a backpack or other carry on bag. These stylish essentials are perfect for any international airplane trip.
Here’s 27 carry on bag essentials, perfect for an international trip.
CARRY ON BAG ESSENTIALS
MY CARRY ON BAG
I use a locally made canvas backpack for my carry on bag. I recommend using a bag that is not just a carry on bag and can be used throughout your trip. My backpack comes with me everywhere, so it will only be used as a carry on when I’m on the plane. For the rest of the trip, I will use my backpack to carry everything I need for the day as we travel throughout the city. Here’s a picture of my tried and true backpack.
TOILETRIES
Toiletries are probably one of my biggest carry on essential categories, only second to the entertainment categories. There is absolutely no way someone can survive an international flight without packing some essential personal hygiene products. Here are the ones that I keep with me.
MICELLAR CLEANSING WIPES
I used to bring some makeup wipes on the plane, but unfortunately, those weren’t cleaning my face, as well as the micellar cleansing wipes, do. I recommend getting the brand that I have listed below in a travel pack. There’s a chance that if you bring a full-size pack, TSA will confiscate it.
TOOTHBRUSH
There is no way I would be able to survive this long of a plane ride without a toothbrush. Plus, I’m literally traveling for over 24 hours. Brushing my teeth has to be an absolute necessity.
TOOTHPASTE TABS
Toothpaste tabs are a great way to be much more environmentally friendly while remaining TSA compliant. I really like how these toothpaste tabs come in a glass jar and are infused with charcoal, which helps keep your teeth super white.
UNSCENTED HAND LOTION
Airplanes are notoriously super dry. On an international flight, some hand lotion can be really nice to make sure your hands don’t completely drive out. I really recommend some unscented hand lotion, since you’re so close to other people on airplanes. A lot of members of my family are really allergic to artificial scents, so unscented hand lotion use on airplanes is super desired.
FACE MOISTURIZER WITH SPF
Just like your hands, your face would probably appreciate some extra moisture while it’s enduring such a drying atmosphere. A face moisturizer with SPF is perfect! SPF should always be a requirement on your face, and this includes when you’re on a plane.
DEODORANT
For any trip that lasts more than 24 hours, you definitely need to reapply some deodorant. Plus, depending on layovers, you might be going through a few different climates. Make sure your pick is travel-sized!
SNACKS
Snacks are another crucial part of essential carry on items. Once you’re past security, there are no cheap options for any kind of food. Most international flights will offer you some kind of meal, but odds are you will definitely want some snacks to tide you over in between flights. I really recommend some candy, trail mix, gum, and any other dry foods that you would enjoy snacking on during a long flight.
Depending on just how long your travel day is looking to be, make sure that you pack some foods with some substance. You could buy some food at an airport during layovers, but odds are that it will be super expensive, and if you have any layovers at night most restaurants will be closed. Plan ahead!
ENTERTAINMENT
To me, this is by far the most important part of my carry on, considering I’ll be taking an international flight. I have no idea how I would be able to survive such a long flight if I didn’t have absolutely everything I could think of to entertain me at arms reach. Here’s what I keep with me to stay occupied on these super long flights.
LAPTOP
I use a 13-inch MacBook pro. I highly recommend this computer, especially if you use an iPhone. I have all apple products, and I love how they work simultaneously together.
PHONE
I’m pretty sure you don’t need a reminder to bring your phone on the plane. Don’t forget that you most likely won’t have access to any internet, so make sure you download any music, apps, or movies beforehand.
PORTABLE BATTERY PACK
My portable battery pack is a lifesaver. If you don’t plan on bringing one on your trip, or if you don’t have one, this is a mistake! I really recommend this one by Anker.
ALL CHARGING CABLES
Do not forget any of your charging cables! Also, remember that there’s usually some USB ports for charging on the planes, but normal outlets in the airport. Pack accordingly!
TWO PAPERBACK BOOKS
I really like passing time by reading books. Unfortunately, books take up a lot of space. I used to have a kindle, but I found that I don’t like reading on a screen. I am pretty old school and I bring actual books with me! I’m planning on bringing two paperback books to cut back on some weight, and have a little variety for my flights.
AIRPODS
I absolutely LOVE my AirPods. If you’re considering buying them, I highly recommend! I had other Bluetooth headphones, and they really did not compare.
WRITTEN GAMES
By written games, I mean a book of crosswords or word searches. When you’re on a 19-hour flight, you run out of things to do pretty quickly. Little books of games can help pass the time. Don’t forget to bring a pencil!
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Forget everything I said earlier, this is the MOST crucial part of the items you bring with you on your trip. If you forget these items, you won’t be able to travel.
PASSPORT
ID/DRIVERS LICENSE
CREDIT CARDS
CASH MONEY – FOR MONEY EXCHANGE
PLANE TICKETS
SLEEPING
For such a long trip, you can plan on sleeping. Sleeping on a plane is super uncomfortable, but you can try to make it a little more bearable depending on how well you prepare.
COMFY SOCKS/PACKABLE SLIPPERS
When I get on my long flight, which is going to be right around 19 hours, you can bet that I’m going to be taking off my shoes. I plan to both have some comfy, thicker socks, and some thin slippers that I can wear around the plane. If you’re ever on a long flight, it’s a good idea to get up and walk around every few hours or so. This is what the slippers are for!
EYE MASK
On an international flight, the cabin lights will dim to allow people to sleep. However, they will just dim, and it will still be pretty light in the cabin. An eye mask can really help this problem!
TRAVEL PILLOW
This is absolutely crucial to your in-flight sleeping kit. There are lots of versions of travel pillows, but I personally prefer the one that I have listed below. I really recommend making sure you get a travel pillow in advance to your trip, since they’re super expensive at all of the shops at the airport.
FOOT HAMMOCK
Normally, this is a totally unnecessary thing to bring on a flight. However, when you’re traveling internationally, your ankles and feet tend to swell up a lot. Not only this, you want to make your body as comfortable as possible when you’re trying to sleep. This makes a HUGE difference. If you have a flight that’s over 5 hours, I highly recommend investing in one of these! I included a more budget-friendly model as well as the most highly rated one.
MELATONIN/OTHER NATURAL SLEEP AID
I am horrible at sleeping on planes. Since my travel day is over 24 hours, I really need to make sure that I’m able to sleep for at least a few hours on my flights. I really like using a natural sleep aid, like melatonin, for instances like this where I’m sleeping apart from my natural sleep schedule. Plus, the melatonin doubles and you can use it to help yourself get used to a sleep schedule in your new time zone when you reach your destination.
EXTRA CLOTHING
CHANGE OF CLOTHES
Odds are you don’t want to spend over 24 hours in the same clothes. Pack a change of clothes for when you arrive at your destination, and make sure that you pick clothes according to where you will be headed when you arrive. Ian and I will be arriving in Busan in the afternoon, so odds are the people we are visiting with will want to get some dinner with us. Therefore, we’ll be packing clothes that are appropriate to go out to dinner in.
COMFORTABLE CLOTHES TO FLY IN
Odds are you will want to wear slightly more comfortable clothes on the International leg of your flight. I will be packing some comfy joggers and a light sweatshirt for this leg of the trip.
CHANGE OF UNDERWEAR AND SOCKS
Just like you don’t want to spend more than 24 hours in the same clothes, I highly doubt you want to spend 24 hours in the same underwear and socks. Make sure you pack some spares.
